Driver Operations Manager

We are Avanti West Coast and we are busy making rail the greener, cleaner, and comfier way to go. A joint venture between First Group and Trenitalia, we are going all out to transform train travel on the West Coast Main Line and we are looking forward to whooshing more people to their destinations in industry-leading comfort. Every one of our colleagues are encouraged to make a difference today to look after tomorrow. We¿re passionate about people sharing their spark and get a buzz seeing our teams take pride. With employees based right across the country, we love to win together and drive a culture which stands for progress ¿ ready to raise the bar at every opportunity. We have an exciting opportunity to join our Euston Driver Managers Team as a Driver Operations Manager. In this role, you'll need to be passionate about people. We are looking for somebody who can work collaboratively with the driver management team so that local depot operations run efficiently and are supported to a high standard. We are looking for an aspiring to leader to provide support, assistance and motivation to Drivers within their team. Working closely with the HR team to ensure employee matters are managed consistently, appropriately and in compliance with company policy. This will also include the monitoring of driver health and fitness cases. You will ensure that those with medical issues are supported, working with HR to progress private healthcare business cases or temporarily or permanently re-deploy, as required. You will lead on local resource planning to ensure the depot does not incur a vacancy gap. You will engage in recruitment activities, working with the Recruitment team to find ways to improve driver workforce diversity, reflective of the communities we serve. You will also work alongside Driver Managers to identify professional development and succession planning opportunities within the driver workforce. You will also work closely with the Assisting with the local level council relationship with ASLEF, including Agenda Meeting activity, and assisting in resolving issues arising locally. Taking the lead in structuring driver communication and engagement activity to ensure this is modern, meaningful, frequent, mutually beneficial, and in line with business and operational strategies. This is a true operational management role with scope to help us work towards running a robust, safe, reliable railway! You will be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the routes, infrastructure and rolling stock operated by Avanti West Coast
• Basic knowledge of HR processes.
• Knowledge of IT systems
• Investigation capability with the ability to deliver information to a high standard
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an innate ability to build constructive relationships with people at all levels and from all relevant organisations.
• Proven track record in leading teams and managing people and processes, ideally within an operational environment.
• Experience of Trade union engagement

Benefits include:

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators

At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation. Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use!